The Radiation Room
I thought since there are a few of us currently going through radiation treatments I would start a thread titled "The Radiation Room". This could be a common area where we can touch base with each other and post questions to our warrior pink sisters when we need to seek their advice. I am hoping by doing this we don't have to go looking in multiple threads looking for answers to our questions.
About an hour ago I finished my second treatment. I do have a question already, yea.. I know surprise, surprise..LOL, On Friday do they typically give a stronger dose because of having the weekend off? What about Memorial Day? I'll be off three days without treatment. I know I can ask the girls tomorrow but it's more fun going to the gals that have been there.
Thanks,
Lorrie
Comments
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Not stronger....
No, it's not stronger on Friday...the weekend is a time for the breast to have a little "rest"...hey that rhymes! lol
We continue to " cook" after each treatment....the day you miss due to the holiday will be made up at the end of treatment, they'll add the missed day...and when all rads is completed, we continue to cook for about 2 weeks.....
Many, including myself have boosters at the end...my last 7 treatments were boosters...this means the radiation is concentrated at the actual site of the tumor,instead of the entire area of breast tissue...
Keep your thread bumped up....we're here to help and guide..
Hugs,
Nancy0 -
Fridays do not get stronger
Fridays do not get stronger 'doses' nor does a missed day or 2 cause a problem. Rads keep 'cooking' for some time after the dose. Going back to when I burned after Rad If I remember correctly my Rads Dr told me that would keep 'cooking' for 7 - 10 days before any healing could start.
Susan0 -
i have 6 rads to go, 5 ofMAJW said:Not stronger....
No, it's not stronger on Friday...the weekend is a time for the breast to have a little "rest"...hey that rhymes! lol
We continue to " cook" after each treatment....the day you miss due to the holiday will be made up at the end of treatment, they'll add the missed day...and when all rads is completed, we continue to cook for about 2 weeks.....
Many, including myself have boosters at the end...my last 7 treatments were boosters...this means the radiation is concentrated at the actual site of the tumor,instead of the entire area of breast tissue...
Keep your thread bumped up....we're here to help and guide..
Hugs,
Nancy
i have 6 rads to go, 5 of them are boosts.My skin is so red and raw that i am on oxycodone for the pain and aquaphor with lidocaine for the topical. I hope it doesn't get any worse, I don't think I could handle it. Now i hear that we continue to "cook' for two weeks following rads. that's just great...
Ouchie,
Dianne0 -
Weekendschenheart said:Oh my! Didn't you know that
Oh my! Didn't you know that cancer does not grow on weekends or holidays???!! Thus, no need to get mega-doses or worry about it at all! We are rather like microwaves~ we keep cooking right through the weekend!
(((((hugs))))
Chen♥
Boy, I am sure glad cancer doesn't grow on weekends or holidays! That just really made my day.
Thanks Chen,
Cindy0 -
Is it just me?
Just finished my 3rd radiation treatment and must say I find myself uncharacteristically grumpy about it all. I guess since it is 5 days per week instead of 1 day every 3 weeks like chemo my inner Cleopatra can't get into de"nile" and pretend I am fine. Hate it that the techs are having to put up with me. I am trying to be nice, and they tell me they have seen much worse, but that old sarcasm just comes on through. Can any of you give me any wisdom on turning this into a more positive experience for us all? If not this will be a verrry long nearly 7 weeks.
Thanks in advance,
Jennifer0 -
Jennifer,grams2jc said:Is it just me?
Just finished my 3rd radiation treatment and must say I find myself uncharacteristically grumpy about it all. I guess since it is 5 days per week instead of 1 day every 3 weeks like chemo my inner Cleopatra can't get into de"nile" and pretend I am fine. Hate it that the techs are having to put up with me. I am trying to be nice, and they tell me they have seen much worse, but that old sarcasm just comes on through. Can any of you give me any wisdom on turning this into a more positive experience for us all? If not this will be a verrry long nearly 7 weeks.
Thanks in advance,
Jennifer
You now how the very first thing you do is to state your name and birthdate? I got so annoyed - although I know all the reasons we do this, that everyday I had a new quip -like 'I'm sorry, haven't we met? I don't show my boobs to just anybody you know!' and stuff like that.
Then I started a story, stating my name and birthdate followed by 'It was storming that night'. Then the next day day, I added to the story and on the day we finished they knew the story of my birth (according to my mother)! Anyway, it helped pass the time and bring some levity to those very intense 5 minutes.
And, honestly, the days pass quickly. You'll be surprised.
Sue0 -
Just..sbmly53 said:Jennifer,
You now how the very first thing you do is to state your name and birthdate? I got so annoyed - although I know all the reasons we do this, that everyday I had a new quip -like 'I'm sorry, haven't we met? I don't show my boobs to just anybody you know!' and stuff like that.
Then I started a story, stating my name and birthdate followed by 'It was storming that night'. Then the next day day, I added to the story and on the day we finished they knew the story of my birth (according to my mother)! Anyway, it helped pass the time and bring some levity to those very intense 5 minutes.
And, honestly, the days pass quickly. You'll be surprised.
Sue
Just remember...this is the last leg of your journey..you're on the home stretch! I promise, it goes quicker than you think....I looked at it as my job...and the last step to regaining your good health...
Wishing you the best!
Nancy0 -
OMG Jennifer, LOL...MAJW said:Just..
Just remember...this is the last leg of your journey..you're on the home stretch! I promise, it goes quicker than you think....I looked at it as my job...and the last step to regaining your good health...
Wishing you the best!
Nancy
Tomorrow is my third treatment, I better start preparing my techs for my mood swings. I think Sue is right, it does get mundane being asked your name and birth date. I kinda found myself today thinking cripe how many times do I have to keep doing this. Thanks for calling this to my attention, as I think my moods might not be too far behind yours. Maybe it's those dark treatment rooms that set the stage for dark and gloominess responses.
I have to admit though, my radiation room is quite creative. The ceilings are painted to look like a cloud filled sky. Suspended from the ceiling is white criss-crossed boards giving you the effect that you are lying in a bed beneath the roof of a cabana hut. If it wasn't for those green laser beams I could probably fall asleep. LOL
Hang in there Jennifer we only have thirty some more treatments... I wish I was Diane right about now in having most of this behind me. Not looking forward to those boosters though.
Lorrie
Oh and Chen... you always make me laugh.0 -
I don't know if you can, butgrams2jc said:Is it just me?
Just finished my 3rd radiation treatment and must say I find myself uncharacteristically grumpy about it all. I guess since it is 5 days per week instead of 1 day every 3 weeks like chemo my inner Cleopatra can't get into de"nile" and pretend I am fine. Hate it that the techs are having to put up with me. I am trying to be nice, and they tell me they have seen much worse, but that old sarcasm just comes on through. Can any of you give me any wisdom on turning this into a more positive experience for us all? If not this will be a verrry long nearly 7 weeks.
Thanks in advance,
Jennifer
I don't know if you can, but it helped me immensly to schedule my rads for the first appointment in the morning~ zip, zap, gone! My sweetie and I would then go out for an early b'fast, or at least a cuppa tea before I went to work. I don't think I was particularly grumpy~ I remember asking the techs if they would recognize any of us if they were to see us on the street, or if we would have to be part of a Mardi Gras celebration and flashing them! It lightened the mood for sure!
And, in our ultra-litigious society, should they for any reason NOT ask our names/birthdates...can you even begin to imagine the lawsuits should a patient get someone else's dosage of radiation ??? It all reminds me of 2nd grade~ one of the boys ( inevitably! LOL) acted up, and the whole class gets punished!
Doing battle with the Beast is emotionally devastating on its own~I did my best to have any techs happy to see me! Not happy that I was there getting cancer treatment, but happy that they literally had a hand in affecting my life-span! And, my rads were done in December, so the 2 techs who took such good care of me got holidays gifts from me.
And, all things considered, the month pretty much flew by...I trust it will for you too, and you will be one step closer to living a full Life After Cancer!
Hugs,
Chen♥0 -
Getting thru radschenheart said:I don't know if you can, but
I don't know if you can, but it helped me immensly to schedule my rads for the first appointment in the morning~ zip, zap, gone! My sweetie and I would then go out for an early b'fast, or at least a cuppa tea before I went to work. I don't think I was particularly grumpy~ I remember asking the techs if they would recognize any of us if they were to see us on the street, or if we would have to be part of a Mardi Gras celebration and flashing them! It lightened the mood for sure!
And, in our ultra-litigious society, should they for any reason NOT ask our names/birthdates...can you even begin to imagine the lawsuits should a patient get someone else's dosage of radiation ??? It all reminds me of 2nd grade~ one of the boys ( inevitably! LOL) acted up, and the whole class gets punished!
Doing battle with the Beast is emotionally devastating on its own~I did my best to have any techs happy to see me! Not happy that I was there getting cancer treatment, but happy that they literally had a hand in affecting my life-span! And, my rads were done in December, so the 2 techs who took such good care of me got holidays gifts from me.
And, all things considered, the month pretty much flew by...I trust it will for you too, and you will be one step closer to living a full Life After Cancer!
Hugs,
Chen♥
I love you girls. Sorry I found this so late in my journey.
I start my boosts today. I'm doing prone radiation.
I'm in love (haha) so when I put my hands above me, I clench my fingers together so tight I can feel my pulse. That's my way of having my honey with me. I don't count or think of the laser lights. He's what I think about. Go for some sort of imagery. Spouse, Child, grand child, friend . . Go for a feeling of love!
I actually love my techs and their cold hands! It's a running joke. I'm a nurse by trade so am pretty much of the mentality,, if you've seen one you've seen them all.
I too make smart remarks when they ask for my ID. Usually, I'm trying to think who would be crazy enough to want to be me right now?
I also look at all the research and all the women that are survivors and don't question that we get weekends off. If they really thought that would make a difference in outcome, it would be a standard of care.
Marlene0 -
Thanks ladiesMarleneElla said:Getting thru rads
I love you girls. Sorry I found this so late in my journey.
I start my boosts today. I'm doing prone radiation.
I'm in love (haha) so when I put my hands above me, I clench my fingers together so tight I can feel my pulse. That's my way of having my honey with me. I don't count or think of the laser lights. He's what I think about. Go for some sort of imagery. Spouse, Child, grand child, friend . . Go for a feeling of love!
I actually love my techs and their cold hands! It's a running joke. I'm a nurse by trade so am pretty much of the mentality,, if you've seen one you've seen them all.
I too make smart remarks when they ask for my ID. Usually, I'm trying to think who would be crazy enough to want to be me right now?
I also look at all the research and all the women that are survivors and don't question that we get weekends off. If they really thought that would make a difference in outcome, it would be a standard of care.
Marlene
Thank you all for the words of encouragement and hope. Can't express how much I have appreciated all of the advice and information I have found on this discussion board even though I have really just been "lurking" in the shadows and not posting. This club is one none of us wanted to join and I know I realllly wish we had some guarantees in our outcomes... but since we don't and we ARE members it is so fantastic to find others who can perk us up when we are down and really understand where we are coming from. I am going to face this radiation journey with more positive ammunition and maybe cut myself just a little more slack. My treatments are at 3:30 pm after I have worked 8 hours and driven an hour to get there ... but I am blessed that my family is grown and I can pretty much go home and veg.
Hugs to all,
Jennifer0 -
A friend of mine suggested Igrams2jc said:Thanks ladies
Thank you all for the words of encouragement and hope. Can't express how much I have appreciated all of the advice and information I have found on this discussion board even though I have really just been "lurking" in the shadows and not posting. This club is one none of us wanted to join and I know I realllly wish we had some guarantees in our outcomes... but since we don't and we ARE members it is so fantastic to find others who can perk us up when we are down and really understand where we are coming from. I am going to face this radiation journey with more positive ammunition and maybe cut myself just a little more slack. My treatments are at 3:30 pm after I have worked 8 hours and driven an hour to get there ... but I am blessed that my family is grown and I can pretty much go home and veg.
Hugs to all,
Jennifer
A friend of mine suggested I should wear my flip flops and something tropical. Walk in holding my water bottle with a little umbrella (I'd really rather it be a margarita). This way when you start seeing that burn, you will feel at least you earned it while lying there on that beach basking in the laser sunlight. We rad girls do have a great support group.
Thank you all,
Lorrie0 -
I like thatbutterflylvr said:A friend of mine suggested I
A friend of mine suggested I should wear my flip flops and something tropical. Walk in holding my water bottle with a little umbrella (I'd really rather it be a margarita). This way when you start seeing that burn, you will feel at least you earned it while lying there on that beach basking in the laser sunlight. We rad girls do have a great support group.
Thank you all,
Lorrie
I like that idea, Lorrie! Just FYI, my last treatments will be boosters, as well. Can hardly wait. The RO said that around week 4 I might start feeling fatigue, well, my sarcastic side said that it's not from the rads, but from having to drive there every freakin' day!
What keeps my going and motivated? The fact that each day I get to leave work early! Today is rad #13 for me followed by a visit to my MO. Nothing like ending the day with two doctor visits.
Bonnie0 -
Good one, Chen. lolchenheart said:Oh my! Didn't you know that
Oh my! Didn't you know that cancer does not grow on weekends or holidays???!! Thus, no need to get mega-doses or worry about it at all! We are rather like microwaves~ we keep cooking right through the weekend!
(((((hugs))))
Chen♥
Good one, Chen. lol0 -
Grams--Actually, I findgrams2jc said:Is it just me?
Just finished my 3rd radiation treatment and must say I find myself uncharacteristically grumpy about it all. I guess since it is 5 days per week instead of 1 day every 3 weeks like chemo my inner Cleopatra can't get into de"nile" and pretend I am fine. Hate it that the techs are having to put up with me. I am trying to be nice, and they tell me they have seen much worse, but that old sarcasm just comes on through. Can any of you give me any wisdom on turning this into a more positive experience for us all? If not this will be a verrry long nearly 7 weeks.
Thanks in advance,
Jennifer
Grams--Actually, I find sarcasam is sometimes positive because it puts such a funny spin to things that aren't funny at all! But, on the positive side--the treatments are much shorter than the chemo was, and the side-effects are nothing compared to chemo. I also tried to look at it like everytime they shone that beam on me, some cancer cell way dying!!0 -
Lorrie
I had 28 rads and finished in Feb. 2011. I went Monday - Friday except when snowstorms prevented travel. On 2 occasions my cancer center opened up on the weekend to do the missed rad. I didn't get a stronger dose on Friday. Each week I saw my rad onc and was weighed. They don't want you to lose weight while going through rads. I also had an xray taken once a week to make sure they were radiating the right spot. It went by quickly. Fortunately I started using cream before I started rads and didn't have any burn til the last 4 or 5. The slight burn I got turned tan and disappeared. I had a little peeling. A week or so later my scars looked fine.
Char0 -
Thank you everyone.. Threecahjah75 said:Lorrie
I had 28 rads and finished in Feb. 2011. I went Monday - Friday except when snowstorms prevented travel. On 2 occasions my cancer center opened up on the weekend to do the missed rad. I didn't get a stronger dose on Friday. Each week I saw my rad onc and was weighed. They don't want you to lose weight while going through rads. I also had an xray taken once a week to make sure they were radiating the right spot. It went by quickly. Fortunately I started using cream before I started rads and didn't have any burn til the last 4 or 5. The slight burn I got turned tan and disappeared. I had a little peeling. A week or so later my scars looked fine.
Char
Thank you everyone.. Three down thirty to go. Oyyyyy....
Since I had a mastectomy my treatments are geared to zap my lymph nodes and skin. Let me tell you it's a funky feeling when they put that "fake skin" layer on your boob. Nice and cold and try not to jump. Yea... right. My first week down... and um... 5 more to go. I'm off to put the big "X" on the calendar. Have a good weekend ladies...
Lorrie0
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